“Yes, of course you can play.The next phase of the game is called the Rude Rules.I have to act the fool in front of other people, preferably causing offence but not enough for them to be able to take public umbrage with me.You have to assist me as well as maintain the pretense there is absolutely nothing wrong with my behavior.At the end of each day you need to write a short note saying how I went.Points are awarded based on how well we managed to play the Rude Rules.We cannot lie, of course, otherwise I shall be disqualified.”
Eve had never heard of anything so preposterous.The plan was mad.It was also brilliant in its simplicity and attraction.
All her life, social behavior had been drummed into her.Public decorum ran in the blood of every young woman in London society.To use the wrong knife at a private dinner party was unthinkable.
She needed no press gang to get her to jump on-board this particular ship before it sailed.
“Tell me.Are there limits to this game?Anyone we should agree we cannot play the game with?”she asked.
“The Prince Regent is absolutely out of bounds unless you wish to find yourself on the scaffold at Newgate.The only other people who I would consider too dangerous to cross would be my parents.My mother is in town in a week or so for a few days, during which we shall have to suspend the Rude Rules.In the meantime, we shall have to work hard to score as many points as we can before she arrives.”
Freddie stopped speaking and took a step back.Eve frowned at his sudden change in behavior, only understanding the reason why when she heard Caroline’s voice.
“Rosemount,” Caroline said.
“Caro,” Freddie replied.
An indignant hiss escaped Caroline’s lips.She and Freddie barely knew one another.It was inexcusable for a gentleman to call a young lady by anything but her formal name.
Eve gritted her teeth.The game was on.
Freddie turned to Eve and gave a snort.“Fancy a brandy, Evie?Champers is only for the weak and the French.”
She kept her gaze firmly on him, not daring to look at her sister.Every muscle in her body was tensed in excitement.She knew full well that Caroline would be staring daggers at Freddie, while expecting Eve to rebuke him for his behavior.The French heritage of their family must be defended.
When she didn’t support Caroline, her sister huffed angrily.Eve desperately wanted to clap her hands with delight, but she kept her poise.
“Of course.I always find champagne to be sickly and sweet,” she replied.
Champagne was actually her favorite tipple and she hated brandy with a passion, but the game now held her in its grip.She would poke sticks in her eyes before she backed down and gave in.Especially in front of Caroline.
Arm in arm, Eve and Freddie walked away.She chanced a look back at her sister who was standing open-mouthed and visibly outraged behind them.
“She is going to kill me when we get home,” muttered Eve.
“I am sure we can do better than your sister in the Rude Rules,Eve.She is an easy target.We need to find some bigger prey with which to score those vital points.”
They found a footman and were soon making their way around the party with brandy glasses in hand.As they passed by other guests, they began to accumulate odd looks and whispers.It was not proper for a young lady to drink brandy in mixed company, nor to wander around a party on the arm of a gentleman with whom she was barely acquainted.They were skirting dangerously close to the edge of acceptable behavior, but Eve didn’t care.
“I must say, you are a natural at this rebellious behavior.Were you a naughty girl as a child?”asked Freddie.
Eve took a sip of her brandy, trying her best not to screw up her face at the horrid taste.To say she had been naughty as a young girl would be a gross understatement.Her mother had been forever making Eve sit and mend clothes as punishment for her misdeeds.
“I have been accused of being a little too willful,” she replied.
He leant in close and whispered seductively.“And I expect you were spanked enough times that you developed a taste for being bent over someone’s knee.”
Eve’s mouth opened in a shocked ‘o’.A young man had never said such an overtly sexually suggestive remark to her face before.Heat raced through her body and pooled in her loins.Freddie was a refreshing and mischievous delight.
They stopped at the edge of the dance floor, where a small group of guests were enjoying a waltz.The sight of the dancers twirling around the floor gave Eve a wicked idea.
“Do you dance, Freddie?”
“A little.Why?”
She pointed in the direction of the dancers, smiling when she saw Freddie’s eyes open a little wider at the sight before them.He reached out and took her brandy glass from her hand, downing its contents in quick time.
Francis appeared at Freddie’s side and tapped him on the shoulder.
